Instant Pot: Sesame Chicken

I have been on a total Asian kick lately and this Instant Pot Sesame Chicken does the trick! It is so tasty, filling and super easy to make!

I am loving the instant pot!! What would have taken me 6 hrs in the crock-pot only took me 35 minutes! However, if you don’t have an instant pot, don’t fret. You can easily make this a crock-pot recipe by placing the chicken in the crock-pot, covering with the sauce and cooking on low for 6 hours or high for 1.5-2 hours. You can also make this recipe Gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce or Tamari.

I am not a huge honey person (I was traumatized as a child – when we were sick, my mother used to make us drink tea with honey and I would gag and cry) but I finally cracked and bought some honey to use for this sauce. I used Trader Joe’s multi-floral and clover honey (image below) but I don’t think it really matters what kind you use. Any honey experts out there, comment below with your thoughts!

I serve this with rice and broccoli but you can serve with any veggies and carbohydrate you prefer. Remember, the plate should be 3/4 full with veggies and protein and only 1/4 worth of carbohydrates. (I am not saying for everyone, if you are following a particular diet please refer to that specific meal plan or to your doctor).

I hope everyone is enjoying their Instant Pot and this recipe as much as I am!

Products I love to use when cooking this recipe:

Instant Pot

Chicken Scissors

Calphalon 4 Qt Saute Pan

Calphalon Knives

Flexible Cutting Boards

Crock-Pot (if not using instant pot)

Print

Instant Pot Sesame Chicken

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

35 mins

Total Time

55 mins

 

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Servings: 4

Calories: 230 kcal

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken breast cubed
• 1 medium onion diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil to saute chicken/onions
• 1/2 tbsp minced garlic to saute chicken/onions
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds

SAUCE

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 4 tsp minced garlic
• 2 tbsp sriracha

TOP

• green onions (optional)
• sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

1. over med-high heat saute olive oil for about 30 seconds. add garlic for about 30 seconds. 

2. add diced onion and saute for 2 minutes. add diced chicken and saute for another 8 min. (click here for how to saute chicken). drain.

   

3. while chicken/onions are sauteing, make sauce in a small mixing bowl. Mix honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic and sriracha. 

   

4. add chicken/onions to Instant Pot. 

   

5. add sauce to Instant Pot. Stir. 

   

6. close lid, manually set to 5 min high pressure. 

   

7. use 10 natural release. (let IP go into keep warm mode and count 10 minutes. press cancel and release steam valve) 

8. select saute function on low. 

9. add 3 tbsp cornstarch and 2 tbsp sesame seeds. stir. 

   

10. cook on saute mode for about 3 minutes stirring gently while sauce thickens. 

    

11. turn saute off and let stand for about 7 minutes while sauce thickens. 

12. top with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve with broccoli and rice. Enjoy!